Derde eeuwfeest van de inname van Den Briel, penning door de inwoners van Schiedam aan de leden van de feestcommissie aangeboden 1872

Editor: Here we have "Derde eeuwfeest van de inname van Den Briel," a medal made in 1872 by Salomon de Vries. It commemorates the third centenary of the capture of Brielle. It strikes me as quite formal, with that classical figure seated on one side. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This piece breathes the air of history, doesn’t it? I imagine its creator, Salomon de Vries, seeing himself as a historian and artist intertwined. The neoclassical style speaks of order, reason, and a longing for a golden age. Can you sense that in the figure’s serene posture and the medal’s clean lines? Editor: I can definitely see the influence. Who exactly is the figure? Curator: She's likely a personification of the city of Brielle or perhaps even the Netherlands. See how she's holding a laurel wreath? Think of it as offering honor or celebrating a victory. And behind her, almost shielding her, is a heraldic shield with an inscription and arms – the identity of the city is rooted in the uprising against Spanish domination and linked to William of Orange I assume. Do you feel how the metal itself, cold and hard, lends weight to the gravity of the event? Editor: Absolutely. It’s a solid, enduring tribute. What about the text on the other side? It looks incredibly dense. Curator: A poem? Perhaps a detailed account of the festivities, rendered almost sacred in its density and commitment to detail. It is an archive; an official version of that celebration. Imagine the civic pride, the need to document and celebrate this crucial event! It wasn't just a party; it was about reinforcing identity. Editor: It really brings a fresh perspective on the artwork, I must admit! Curator: I invite the curious among our listeners to research Brielle’s pivotal role as the first town captured in the Dutch revolt. Knowing that context…the medal vibrates with a newfound energy. It transforms from an artifact into a story etched in metal, wouldn’t you say?